Product Development Engineer

About the Company
At Princeton Critical Minerals (PCM), we’re reimagining how the world extracts critical minerals like lithium and nitrates more sustainably, more efficiently, and with less water and energy use.

About the Role
Following the success of our pilot deployments, we’re entering a new phase of rapid product development. We’re looking for a hands-on Product Development Engineer to take learnings from the field, turn them into prototypes, test and validate improvements, and help us scale Lilypad and its supporting technologies. This is an opportunity to shape a breakthrough climate-tech product at the interface of water, energy, and materials.

If you thrive at the intersection of mechanical design, prototyping, testing, and iteration, and you’re motivated by building tangible solutions to global sustainability challenges, we’d love to have you join us.

Responsibilities
Establish rapid prototyping and test workflows for product hardware improvements.
Translate pilot-site learnings into design iterations for product components, supporting technologies, and operation cycle.
Benchmark product performance vs. baselines and document improvements.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (mechanical, chemical, data, and field operations).
Lead design–build–test cycles for product components.
Develop supporting technologies (e.g., deployment, maintenance, packaging).
Run lab and field validation tests, generating evidence-based performance data.
Work with manufacturers to move from prototypes to scalable production.
Own product development roadmap.
Deliver validated designs ready for multi-pond scale-up.
Become a key technical leader shaping PCM’s productization strategy.

Qualifications
4–6 years of product development experience (mechanical, hardware, or climate-tech preferred).
Proficiency in 3D CAD design (OnShape, Creo, or similar).
Working with Agile principles in a fast paced startup environment.
Experience with rapid prototyping (3D printing, CNC, composites, polymer processing).
Strong experimental design and testing skills; data-driven approach to iteration.
Familiarity with fluid mechanics, materials, and outdoor field testing.
Experience collaborating with manufacturing partners and scaling from prototype → pilot → production.
Comfort working cross-functionally with engineers, field technicians, and scientists.
PhD’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or related field.
(Bonus) Background in environmental/climate-tech hardware or water/energy systems.

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices.
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